About
Doryanthes palmeri, the spear lily, is a tender succulent perennial reaching 2.5 m tall and 3 m wide, with rosettes of linear or lance-shaped, lush, vivid-green leaves 2.5�3 m long. Mature plants produce stems 3�4 m long, erect then arching, with smaller leaves and dense, oblong, branching sprays up to 1 m long of deep-red bracts enclosing narrowly tubular flowers 4�6 cm long, rich-red outside and pale red or white inside, in late spring. A spectacular specimen for a frost-free garden.
About the genus
Doryanthes, the giant lilies, are massive, rosette-forming perennials from eastern Australia in their own family (Doryanthaceae), producing enormous basal rosettes of sword-like, fibrous leaves and, after many years, tall, dramatic flowering spikes bearing clusters of red flowers. Grown as spectacular specimen plants in frost-free gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitSuckering
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toAustralia
Care notes
CultivationIn frost-prone areas, grow outside in full sun only in summer, and overwinter in a cool greenhouse in full light, in containers in peat-free, loam-based potting compost; in the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, but keep just moist in winter. In frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun, with plenty of water in the growing season, but keep dry in winter as mature plants may withstand several degrees of frost if kept dry
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 10-13°C in spring, by division of mature bulbils, which are occasionally produced on flower stems, or by division, removing suckers which are produced after flowering
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free